Lambert, Shelton make fair concert a party

August 19, 2006|ROBIN TOEPP Tribune Staff Writer

BERRIEN SPRINGS -- The mass of people crowding the stage where Blake Shelton performed Thursday night at the Berrien County Youth Fair were consumed with a party atmosphere that took hold of this country show, which also featured newcomer Miranda Lambert. When Lambert came onstage, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of screams that continued through Shelton's incredible performance. Lambert, most noted for the two hit songs "Kerosene" and "Me and Charlie Talkin' " from her debut album, drew on blues, country and rock, but the theme of her performance was more closely linked to that of a hair band. Her long blond hair frequently flew around her face as she "head-banged" with the pounding fury that marks many of her songs. She's a country-rocker, and she's not sweet, despite an angelic face and soft hair. Rather, she's a rabble rouser, and the audience ate it up. "You mind if I play a little rock 'n' roll?" Lambert said before breaking into Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll," which she performed at a slower tempo and with a honky tonk beat. For all of the recent fairs, festivals and onstage country shows of late, this show had the feel of a real concert, a party atmosphere with people gettin' rowdy, cops lettin' fans press toward the stage, seats empty as people made their way forward for a closer look. That mood only grew when Shelton walked out on stage. His country-cool matches the deep blue shade of his eyes, but his intensity on such songs as "The Baby" and "Goodbye Time" hit a crescendo, particularly on the latter, where, with sweat rolling down his face, a long vein pulsed on the side of his forehead. "We always expect a dull and empty Thursday night ... but this is a good crowd tonight," Shelton said. After years in the business, he still considers himself an outsider, but Thursday night, he made a lot of new friends. About half of the time, Shelton played guitar while singing. Without his guitar, he almost appeared awkward, not quite sure what to do with his hands. He might not have been prepared for such an enthusiastic audience. "When they first called and asked me to do this (show), (my management) didn't want me to. They said that's pretty far north," Shelton said. Obviously, the South has forgotten that the "line" is gone. To respond to this review or to write your own, go to www.southbendtribune.com/music.